In improving their preseason record to 1-2, the Dolphins compiled clear advantages in total yards (342-152), rushing yards (163-39) and first downs (24-8).The game could have been closer had it not been for two holding penalties that nullified Houston touchdowns — an 82-yard pass from rookie QB David Carr to Corey Bradford, and an 8-yard run by Travis Prentice.
Still, it was obvious on this night Houston was overmatched.
The Dolphins quickly established their dominance on this night, stopping the Texans without a first down on the first drive and then putting together a 62-yard drive capped by Ricky Williams' 1-yard touchdown run.
After again holding Houston to three-and-out, the Dolphins this time marched 68 yards, with Rob Konrad scored on a 3-yard run over the middle.
The Dolphins extended the lead to 17-0 on the next-to-play of the first half when Olindo Mare nailed a 39-yard field goal and increased the lead when Robert Edwards scored on a 1-yard run late in the third quarter.
Houston finally got on the board in the final minutes of the fourth quarter when Kris Brown hit a 46-yard field goal.
The Dolphins could have made the score more lopsided after driving inside the Houston 10-yard line in the final seconds, but they were content to just let the seconds tick away.